By Muh'd Shafi'u Saleh Dr. Kayode Fayemi, former Governor of Ekiti State and immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Foru...
By Muh'd Shafi'u Saleh
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, former Governor of Ekiti State and immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), has extended warm Sallah greetings to Muslims across Nigeria as they celebrate this year’s Eid al-Adha.
In a statement signed by the Head of the Fayemi Media Office, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, on Thursday, Fayemi described the festival as a time for spiritual reflection, gratitude, and renewed commitment to the values that define the Islamic faith.
“I join millions of Nigerians in celebrating our Muslim brothers and sisters as they commemorate this significant religious festival,” Fayemi stated. “The spirit of Eid al-Adha reminds us of the importance of sacrifice, charity, and our collective responsibility to one another as citizens of this great nation.”
Fayemi, however, called for moderation in the celebrations, urging Muslims to remain mindful of the economic hardships many Nigerians are currently facing.
“Let us balance our festivities with empathy and kindness towards those less fortunate. While we celebrate, let us do so with consciousness of the challenges many of our compatriots are enduring,” he said.
“The true essence of Sallah lies not in extravagant festivities but in acts of kindness, sharing with the less privileged, and strengthening the bonds of brotherhood,” he added.
Reflecting on the nation’s current situation, Fayemi acknowledged the significant challenges confronting Nigeria, including economic hardship and insecurity.
“We cannot deny that our country is facing major difficulties today—rising costs of living, high unemployment, and ongoing security concerns,” he noted. “However, what inspires me is the unwavering spirit of our people. In the face of adversity, Nigerians continue to show remarkable resilience, creativity, and a deep belief in our collective destiny.”
Fayemi highlighted Nigeria’s youthful population, cultural diversity, natural resources, and growing technological innovation as crucial assets for national progress.
“Our diversity, often perceived as a source of division, is actually one of our greatest strengths when harnessed positively. The energy and innovation of our young people, the wisdom of our elders, and our shared values across ethnic and religious lines form the bedrock of our national transformation,” he said.
He called on all Nigerians—regardless of religious affiliation—to use the Sallah season for introspection and to reaffirm their commitment to national unity.
“This is a time to look beyond our differences and focus on what unites us as Nigerians: our shared aspirations for security, prosperity, and good governance.
“As we celebrate, let us renew not just our religious faith, but our faith in Nigeria and in our collective ability to overcome the present challenges and build a better future for generations to come,” Fayemi concluded.
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